H₂ ICE for Future Passenger Cars and Light Commercial Vehicles

Authors

Dr.-Ing. T. Pauer, Dipl.-Ing. H. Weller, Dr.-Ing. E. Schünemann, Robert Bosch GmbH, Schwieberdingen;
Univ.-Prof. Dr. H. Eichlseder, Dr. P. Grabner, Dr. K. Schaffer, Graz University of Technology

Year

2020

Print Info

Fortschritt-Berichte VDI, Reihe 12, Nr. 813

Summary

Hydrogen (H₂) as an energy carrier has the potential to make an important contribution towards well-to-wheel and life-cycle CO₂ neutral on-road transport solutions and offhighway applications. Several important markets, e.g. Japan, Korea and China, are committed and have already started to build-up a hydrogen refueling infrastructure, that is currently not available nationwide. Also, in some European countries a network of hydrogen refueling stations exists and is currently expanding.
There is a multitude of hydrogen production pathways available that have the potential for achieving “near-zero” well-to-tank CO₂ emissions. Moreover, hydrogen is the 1^st fuel that is produced within the production chain for e-fuels. Hydrogen prices are projected to come down towards very attractive levels in the future.
A technologically independent approach is required in order to identify the most attractive hydrogen powertrain solution for every use case and to generate a more robust demand for the build-up of a hydrogen infrastructure. Therefore, complementary to fuel cell powertrains, the hydrogen internal combustion engine (H₂ ICE) powertrain needs to be included as a potential solution.
Available ICE and powertrain technologies as well as existing vehicle architectures already form a robust basis for the conversion towards future H₂ ICE powertrains. Both fuel cell and H₂ ICE powertrains can use the same on-board hydrogen tank system components.
Hence, additional development costs and associated development risks are limited.
This study focuses on the evaluation of mixture formation, combustion and exhaust gas emissions for a H₂ ICE that is targeted for passenger car and light duty vehicle
applications. It was performed on a turbocharged SI engine that has been adapted for hydrogen operation with regard to fuel injection, ignition and turbocharging system. The results demonstrate significant functional potentials, e.g. with respect to specific torque, power and exhaust gas emissions, that already have been accomplished with relatively low development effort.